Derelict Cinema to Become Vibrant Community Mosque

The derelict Ritz on Easthampstead Road in Wokingham - once a cinema and bingo hall about 150 metres from the Peach Street shops - has been bought by Wokingham Islamic Centre. The centre says it plans to create a “vibrant community hub that benefits the whole town”.

The vacant freehold site covers 20,403 sq ft, sits next to two public car parks and includes a large open-plan auditorium, office space, a self-contained flat, plus storage and reception areas.

The building's original cinema auditorium, which once accommodated up to 716 visitors, will be turned into a “spacious prayer hall accommodating their growing community”, the centre says.

On its website the centre calls the purchase “Permanent Home at Last” and adds: “This building is the ideal fit for our growing community's needs, offering massive open spaces that are fully adaptable for every service.”

There will also be an Education Hub with “dedicated classroom areas for Nazra, Tajweed, Hifz, and weekly madrasah lessons for children and adults”, and private spaces for women and young people with “youth mentoring, sports activities, and halaqas to help hold on to their faith”.

Reform UK leader Colin Wright welcomed the move. He said: “Hopefully it’s going to bring more people into the town and have a knock on effect on businesses in Wokingham.

“It’s an eyesore. It’s been derelict for years. It was never going to come back as a cinema. It makes Wokingham look particularly grubby.

“It would be good to see the site back in use. Nobody I know will have any issues with it at all.”

Conservative leader Pauline Jorgensen said she had yet to see plans but added: “Whilst I have no issues with a new mosque any proposals will be looked at by the planning committee based on normal planning requirements like parking and the potential impact on residents.”

Previous plans to demolish the building and replace it with 22 apartments expired after not being implemented. The site had been marketed as suitable for leisure, educational and faith-based uses, subject to the necessary consents.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter